Yoga mat

ABSTRACT

The present invention features a rectangular mat having a first wing and a second wing. With an increased area and unique shape, the present mat can enhance and improve any exercise routine as the mat enables the user to move in a multi-directional capacity, thereby enhancing flow, creativity and decreasing the risk of injury.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present inventive yoga mat enhances creativity and improves flow andfluidity movement in any exercise environment. Accordingly, the presentinventive mat is an extremely versatile piece of exercise equipment andcreates an environment for more versatile execution of exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the present yoga mat.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the mat, where the top of the mat comprisessmall protrusions to provide traction and a massaging effect.

FIG. 3 shows various the mat in use in a classroom, for the students andinstructor.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention features an exercise mat with an increased areaand unique shape. The present mat can enhance and improve any exerciseroutine as the mat enables the user to move in a multi-directionalcapacity, thereby enhancing flow, creativity and decreasing the risk ofinjury (less changes of direction and improvement of mat to facilitatesupport will be necessary, thereby preventing unnecessary injury. Forexample, one would not need to turn around and pick up mat to changedirection when exercise routine dictates it).

Further, the mat is prescriptive and therapeutic in nature. The materialis soft and pliable to offer support (⅛ to ¼ inch in thickness). Thesides may be folded over to create further support and cushioning forproblematic areas (e.g., knees, hips, back, etc.). This additionalsupport helps to prevent injuries to such anatomical areas.

In some embodiments, the yoga mat 10 is rectangular in shape andcomprises a header edge 12, a foot edge 14, a left edge 16 and a rightedge 18, wherein the distance from the header edge 12 to the foot edge14 is about 68 inches, and the distance from the left edge 16 to theright edge 18 is about 24 inches. As used herein the term “about” meansplus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, about 10 inchesmeans 9 inches up to 11 inches.

In some embodiments, the yoga mat further comprises a first rectangularwing 30 and a second rectangular wing 40, the first rectangular wing 30attaches to the left edge 16 at about 10 inches below the header edge12, the second rectangular wing 40 attaches to the right header 18 edgeat about 10 inches below the header edge 12, the first and secondrectangular wing 30/40 each has a width 32 of about 18 inches and alength 34 of about 24 inches.

In some embodiments, the first and second rectangular wings 30/40 areattached to the yoga mat by a thin woven material, which allows for thewings 30/40 to be folded on top of the mat 10. In some embodiments, thefirst and second rectangular wings 30/40 are attached to the yoga matvia a standard hook and loop fastener known to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

In some embodiments, the mat can be rolled up from either the headeredge 12 or the foot edge 14. After the mat is rolled up, the rolled upmat may be held in position by a hook and loop tie 50.

In some embodiments, the mat optionally has raised protrusions (buttons)to increase traction and provide a messaging effect (FIG. 2)

In some embodiments, mat is constructed from a semi-rigid materialselected from the group consisting of plastic, vinyl, or combinationsthereof. The mat may be about ⅛ to about ¼ inch thick, preferablyconstructed from a non-slip material such as rubber.

In some embodiments, pockets may be added to the mat at back side of matmid point of section 12, 14, 30 or 40. In some embodiments, trinketssuch as om sign; heart, cross, animal, ring, bible (charms as in used onbracelets) may be added to the mat at the sealing ends of the mat (i.e.,where the hook and loop tie 50 is).

In some embodiments, a “L” (left) and a “R” (right) designation isimprinted on to the first 30 and second wing 40 as shown on FIG. 1.Without wishing to limit the invention to any theory or mechanism, it isbelieved that the designation helps the student to be able to stayfocused during a yoga lesson. For example, when the yoga instructorinstructs the student with a reference to a left or right, the studentcan easily glance at the symbol on the mat and smoothly continue withthe session.

The T-shape of the present invention is advantageous in that most of theflow exercises in a yoga class actually start towards the front of themat—close to, or at the point where the inter-section of the twocross-sections takes place. For instance, one generally would start anyasana (pose) from this point, and the movement would flow from here.Right now, with the current mat, it is only possible to movebackwards/forwards (frontal/vertical plane) which impedes creativity andlimits range of movement. It would be of greater benefit to both mindand body to move along the horizontal plane equally. This enhancesbalance both literally and figuratively.

Also, horizontal “wings” could provide for safety. When teaching aflow-type class and then moving on to floor exercises (toning), studentstend to be particularly fussy when it comes to leaving the “security” oftheir mat. As a result, students turn themselves around on their mats sothat, while the instructor is teaching on the horizontal plane, studentsare around and back to the vertical plane, simply because they choosenot to leave the mat. This means that the student is turning andstraining the neck in order to follow and execute the exercise given.Further, most students are apt to inadvertently forget which “side” wasexercised when alternate exercises are given in-between the change tothe opposite side (e.g., flow/stretches, etc.). It is a common practicethat a student will repeat the same leg exercise sequence, therebystraining the muscles and causing possible injury. With the addition ofthe two horizontal sides, this would make it almost impossible to do asthe student would, at all times, be facing the teacher without having tomove the mat in order to still be “on” the mat.

The mat of the present invention is also beneficial to the yogainstructor. When teaching or taking a yoga/Pilates/toning class, thecross feature would be advantageous in that the flow of the exercisewould be enhanced due to the proximity of the second mat section.Instead of constantly working in the frontal plane, it is beneficial tobe able to work from side to side (horizontal plane) in order to enhancecreativity. It can become monotonous to constantly work in the samedirection and therefore, in my opinion and experience, I have found itto be a huge asset to be able to enhance the quality and integrity of myclasses by working in a multi-directional capacity.

The shape of the mat, as well as the length of the sides, gives theperfect distance between one student in a class situation, to the next.The inventor has discovered that students fill the availablespace—either taking too much space thereby leaving little room for otherclass members, or moving too close together thereby leaving themselvesand others with too little space and thereby impeding flow of movementand actually increasing the chances of creating a sense of heightenedanxiety in some students. The aim of a yoga class is to enhance andfoster feeling of flow, openness, peace and harmony, the enhanced matwould encourage the achievement of this objective. Also, a teacher whois prescriptive in teaching, would appreciate that the new horizontalsides could be folded over to provide for enhanced cushioning andsupport—prevention and treatment of injury.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those describedherein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoingdescription. Such modifications are also intended to fall within thescope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the presentapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed thescope of the appended claims. For example, bigger or smaller mat havingratios of the specific dimensions are disclosed herein are considered tobe within the scope of the present invention.

1. A rectangular yoga mat comprising a header edge, a foot edge, a leftedge and a right edge, wherein the distance from the header edge to thefoot edge is about 68 inches, and the distance from the left edge to theright edge is about 24 inches, the yoga mat further comprises a firstrectangular wing and a second rectangular wing, the first rectangularwing attaches to the left edge at about 10 inches below the header edge,the second rectangular wing attaches to the right header edge at about10 inches below the header edge, the first and second rectangular wingeach has a width of about 18 inches and a length of about 24 inches.